Consecration Of The Saint Audrey' S Lodge, No. 2727, Ely.

burdens , " for no true Ma ' son can be lacking in sympathy . The effect of a Masonic lodge in the city could not but be beneficial to the community , for it was a realisation of true corporate life . True Masons said to themselves— " We will be true men , because vve are seeking the truth , and will endeavour to make our Society a real blessing to our fellows , and to show the outside world how greatly a Masonic

lodge may benefit the community . " How real vvas the sympathy that Masons are ready to extend to those about them is known to all , and it vvas sincerely to be hoped that the nevv Lodge of St . Audrey vvould fulfil its high Masonic mission , making it its object to become a real bond of union , of living unity , truth , and confidence among its members .

The ceremony ot consecration was followed by the installation of Bro , James Matless Harvey , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., as W . M . of the Iodge . The installation ceremony was performed by the following Installing Masters : Bros . J . H . Moyes , W . M . 88 ; Major Oliver Papworth , Prov . G . S . ; W . Sindall , P . M . 88 ; and W . P . Spalding , P . M . 88 .

This was followed by the appointment of the following officers : Bros . 1 . Read , P . M . 3 SS , as I . P . M . ; H . Kempton , 442 , S . W . - , T . A . Guyatt , 1719 , J . W . ; J . H . Gray , P . G . Chap . Eng ., D . P . G . M ., Chap . ; C . Laceby , 1963 ( elected ) , Treas . ; A . Burton , 441 , Sec . ; W . G . Dunwoody , 55 ( I . C ) , S . D . ; J . C . Laxton , 2107 , J . D . ; Major Oliver Papworth , P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Sec , D . C ; J . S . Barnett , 37 8 , I . G . ; J . G . Cowell , Stwd . 2107 , and T . Keats , 1327 , Stwds . ; J . Lewis , 2153 , Tyler ; and H . F . M . Peatling , Org .

The W . M . through the Prov . G . Sec , then presented the iodge with a very handsome banner , which the brethren received with thanks . Adjourning to the public room the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , which was served by Bro . Laxton , and seldom have we seen so large a banquet served in such good style , with such admirable waiting , and in every way so satisfactory as was this first banquet under the auspices

of the St . Audrey Lodge . The W . M . is evidently no novice in the chair , and Bro . Papworth acted as a most energetic Director ot the Ceremonies . During the evening Madame Ada Kempton , A . R . A . M ., electrified the brethren with her charming voice , and Bro . Potts was good enough to afford considerable amusement with his phonograph . Other brethren assisted in the harmony of the evening .

The usual toasts were given , and in response to that of " The R . W . P . G . M . and the Officers of the Grand Lodge , " the P . G . Chap , of England ( Rev . J . H . GRAV ) said , even upon an occasion like the present , it would be impossible to respoud to that toast without mentioning the terrible loss which Masonry had sustained in the death of Earl Lathom . He was a man Masonry could ill spare , for no one had done more for the cause in the

past than Lord Lathom had done . He was no stranger to many of them , and his Masonic enthusiasm , upright character , and hbnourable position in her Majesty's household had won for him the universal esteem of his brethren . It behoved every Mason to try to tread in the footsteps of so good a man as Earl Lathom , and to emulate his nobleness of character and his kindliness of heart .

Bro . Colonel C ALDWELL , in responding to the toast of his health , said that ladies were asserting their right to take their full share in the affairs of everyday life . In Cambridge they had two colleges to their own exclusive use , and had made more than one effort to stand upon an equality with members of the University in other respects . When he was first made a Mason he had been given to understand that on one occasion a ladv had

concealed herself in a clock and discovered the secrets of Freemasonry , and had been promptly admitted to that body ; he understood that that was the only known instance of a female Freemason . Now , however , they had St . Etheldreda at Newmarket as the patroness of a Masonic lodge , and at Ely St . Audrey had now asserted her claim to patronise the Fraternity . Not much , he believed , was known of St . Audrey except that she was a saintly lady , and he believed that when Bro . Terry spoke he would tell them she

was neither a boy nor a girl , but one of the best of old people . For many years he had wished to see an addition to the Masonic lodges of Cambridgeshire , and he rejoiced exceedingly at the formation of the lodge at which they were then assembled , and however much they might have to rejoice in the future at the , consecration of new lodges , they would always look with affection upon St . Audrey , which was , as it were , the first-born during his Grand Mastership .

Sevente Annual Festival Of The Kirby Lodge Of Instruction, No. 263.

SEVENTE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE KIRBY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 263 .

About 200 brethren assembled at the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras , on Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., on the occasion of the Seventh Annual Festival of the Kirby Lodge of Instruction . They vvere well rewarded for their visit , for it is safe to say that no finer exhibition of Section working has been seen in the metro - plis . The Preceptor and Section Workers were all brethren who have not yet

reached the chairs of their respective lodges , and this was their first attempt at an annual festival . They therefore well deserved the high encomiums passed upon their work by Bro . Sudlow and others whose names are household words in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , the home of correct Masonic working . Bro . George Rankin ( Preceptor ) acted as W . M ., and the Seven Sections of the First Lecture vvere worked by Bros . VV . S . Cook , T . W . Davies , T . Whittingham , Geo . H . Rayner , H . Wakebell , H . ' A . D . Jowett , and A . G . Wedmore .

At the conclusion of the ' working , Bro . Ven . Archdeacon SINCLAIR , D . D ., P . G . Chap ., the President of the festival , proposed a vote of thanks to the brethren concerned . Bro . CLAY Sum . ovv , P . G . S . B ., in seconding the resolution , said the work was excellently done , and was deserving of all praise . Bro . G . RANKIN , in acknowledgment , said it was a bold experiment of the Committee in selecting juniors to work these Sections , but if the brethren hal done anything to justify that choice they were pleased indeed .

Bro . Ven . Archdeacon Sinclair , P . G . D ., was unanimously elected an honorary member , and having returned thanks , the lodge vvas closed . Bro . Ven . Archdeacon Sinclair , P . G . D ., presided at the dinner vvhich followed , and was supported by Bros . R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . S . B . ; T . Rilling , P . A . G . D . C ; Sir Forrest Fulton , Q . C , P . M . ; H . Pritchard , P . P . G . Treas . Middx . ; F . C . Van Duzer , P . M . ; E . L . Berry , i' . P . G . D . Surrey ; R . E . II . Goffin , P . M . ; Dr . Sandberg , P . M . ; C . H . Stone , P . M . ; and others .

" The Grand Officers " was proposed by Bro . W . BAKER , Sec , who coupled with the toast the names of Bros . Railing and Sudlow . Bro . T . RALM . NU , P . A . G . D . C , alluded to the illness of the Pro Grand Master in sympathetic terms . They all hoped to hear of his restoration to health , for no man had done more for the good of the Craft . Thc Grand Ollicers were desirous of seeing Masonry flourishing , and one of the ways for its attainment was by lodges of instruction . In going about the country he was always telling brethren

Sevente Annual Festival Of The Kirby Lodge Of Instruction, No. 263.

that , unless they formed lodges of instruction , they could not do the work . In London there were privileges which they in the country could not enjoy . He had enj oyed the working very much , and congratulated Bro . Rankin on the able way in which he had presided . Bro . R . CLAY SUDLOW , P . G . S . B ., regretted there were so few Grand Officers present on such a very interesting occasion , for it would have been a decided encouragement to the Preceptor and that excellent lodge of instruction . It would be difficult to exaggerate the importance of these lodges , and the Grand Officers

should do all they could to help them in their efforts . In them men were taught the beautiful ritual of the ceremonies , and vvere enabled to go into their lodges and work vvith fluency , and , what was still more important , intelligence and impressiveness . It was important that candidates should be impressed , from the very outset , vvith the grand objects of their Order , and remember to the very last days of their life the lessons learnt . There was one Grand Officer who had done a very great deal for their Iodge . He referred to Bro . Sadler , who would have been delighted to have seen the splendid attendance .

Bro . J . L . TAYLOR , in response to many calls , said they had no doubt asked him to speak as being a representative of that great country across the ocean . They were sensible of the great affection in which they were held not only by the Craft but by the people of the mother country , and they hoped they were children worthy of the stock from which they had sprung . They had pride in the traditions and religions of the old land . As one who had held some little position in America he had been profoundly impressed vvith the work that evening for he was

an olhcer of an Anglo-American Lodge in London . There were small differences in details which were only natural , but it was a pride and satisfaction to know that the same cardinal points of wisdom , strength , and beauty , were insisted on . It proved in a remarkable degree the universality of Masonry . He had received the utmost kindness on coming amongst them as an American Mason and this , was a happy augury , for he believed that English and Americans understood each other better than any other two people .

Bro . Sir FORREST FULTON , K . C . B ., Q . C , P . M ., proposed "The President , " which he said he was sure they vvould receive with enthusiasm . They welcomed the President among them and desired to express to him individually and collectively their gratitude for his many kindnesses to them , and they trusted and felt sure that he had been duly satisfied vvith the admirable display of Masonic knowledge witnessed in another room . It vvas highly proper that a distinguished ecclesiastic should come amongst them , because as they were aware ,

in former days there was a very much closer connection between the Craft and the Church than at the present time . Early in the ioth century there was a close connection between the two . In the middle of the 10 th century the Pope of Rome granted a charter of incorporation , and for a long time subsequent to that many distinguished ecclesiastics occupied important positions .

That happy position did not last because the Craft was charged with being concerned in secret conspiracies against order , and he believed the Roman Catholic branch of the Church still frowned upon their Craft . However , so far as this country was concerned , that had no connection , and they welcomed the very distinguished ecclesiastic , and thanked him for his presence . He asked them to drink the toast vvith the usual honours .

Bro . Ven . Archdeacon SINCLAIR , D . D ., P . G . Chap ., having returned thanks , said it was a very great privilege to him to have the pleasure of sitting in the chair vvhich had been filled by so many distinguished members of Grand Lodge in sympathy with their movement . He had seen in his short Masonic career much good working , but never did he see better working than that night . His Masonic infancy was watched over with jealous care by Bro . Parkinson . He was installed as W . M . of the Universal Lodge by Bro . Sir Squire Bancroft , and never should

he forget the most impressive way in which that interesting ceremony was performed . He had also been present at the installations at the Drury Lane Lodge , where the work vvas always good . He would venture to wish that the clergy , high or low , were all as careful and accurate , and as conservative in the best sense , as was the universal custom in their lodges of Freemasonry . He cordiall y re-echoed all that had been said by the G . Officers of the very great importance of these lodges of instruction . They were the very backbone of Freemasonry

next to Grand Lodge , and carried the traditions of the Order throughout the whole frame of the Masonic Craft . There was a convivial side , but it must not absorb the whole of it . The Emulation Lodge was the head of these lodges of instruction , but this did not come behind in the sympathy and warmth of its teachings . He thought Masons vvere , to an extent , an example to the profession to which he belonged . The Christian Church was intended for the same good objects—peace and good will towards men was its primary motto . Every

congregation was intended to be a lodge , with the same hopes and the same fellowships , but how they had fallen from that . Let them hope that the spirit of Masonry , which was largely spread years ago , would once more make the Christian congregation united amongst themselves . With reference to the great Masonic service at St . Paul ' s , one satisfactory result had been a clear / 1000 to assist in carrying out the original idea , and he sincerely hoped as time went on that various bodies of Masons would join in that work . It was a great privilege

that their age should possess such artists as Sir Wm . Richmond , who , in his scheme , seems to be unconsciously thinking of Masonry throughout . If the Kirby Lodge should feel desirous of paying a special visit and meet him ( Bro . Sinclair ) at St . Paul ' s , he should be pleased to show them the great vvork of Wren . He had to propose the health of that energetic lodge . Bro . Fulton had said there had always been a connection between the Church and Freemasonry , and the reason why that connection had been broken was that in foreign countries the ecclesiastic authorities were jealous

of any secret society independent of their own ; but they in this country had no such feeling . Many of them were fully aware that Masonry was not onl y consonant vvith the Christian reli gion , but its principles were identical , and they tried to further its interests and learn all they could from its virtues . He had now the pleasure , while proposing " The Health of the Kirby Lodge of Instruction , " of which he vvas now , through their kindness , an honorary member , of connecting it vvith the name of their W . M . and Preceptor , who had been so admirable a reader of their Masonic studies that evening .

Bro . G . RANKIN , in reply , said there were many factors in the success of their lodge . First , in having such enthusiastic Masons as founders , one of whom ( Bro Baker ) still carried on the Secretarial vvork . Another was Bro . Sadler , who would regret not being able to be present . A second reason was their good fortune in having as thc Preceptor such a man and Mason as their late Bro . Kirby , who set up so high a standird of working . He had alluded to the debt they continually owed Bro . Sudlow for his assistance at all times . They arranged their programme according to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and aspirants to honour in

that high school came there on Tuesdays to rehearse the work for Fridays . That had brought them many recruits , and the Kirby Lodge could claim to do something for Emulation in return by enabling the brethren to work better . Another great source of strength was the kindness of hi ghly-placed and eminent Masons in coming and presiding over them . Whilst they workeJ under such conditions it must continue to flourish , and prove one of the best of the many good lodges of instruction . He tendered warmest thanks to the Stewards . It was their custom at these festivals to drink a silent toast to the memory of the late Bro . Kirby which he would ask them to do . " The Bank of England Lodge" was acknowledged by Bro . H . PKITCHARD P . P . G . Treas . Middx . ' The proceedings terminated with the T yler ' s toast ,